PERFECTION OF DIVINE PURPOSE

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to HIS PURPOSE” – Romans 8:28

There are times in Life’s Pathway that call for deep Reflections on the PERFECTION of DIVINE PURPOSE: ““And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to HIS PURPOSE” (Rom.8:28). The Primacy of Purpose is indisputable! Life without purpose is a worthless existence. The starting point for any life, ministry or institution is the question, “Why do I exist?” Purpose is the Reason for Being. Purpose gives direction and orientation to life and overrules confusion. Purpose precedes progress and is the major key for outstanding Success in life.

For many people, life has no meaning! As Shakespeare put it through the mouth of Hamlet, life is “...a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” Life without Purpose or Vision is heading for Destruction (Pro.29:18). It is a burden and disaster going to happen! Without purpose, distractions, chance and circumstances determine one’s destination. Without purpose, life is full of frustration and regret: “Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain” (Isa.49:4a). A purposeless life is colourless and unstable (Jam.1:8). How sad would it be to find out in eternity that one has spent almost all of time fulfilling other people’s expectations, while God’s original purpose lies unfulfilled!

A purposeless existence is never God’s Will! God is the God of Purpose: “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will” (Eph.1:11). We were born by His purpose and for His purpose: “according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph.3:11). It is only in Him that we discover our origin, identity, meaning, purpose, significance and destiny. Life is about letting God use us for His purposes, not us trying to use Him for ours. And as we journey through life, counting the hours, days, weeks, years, and decades, we must never lose touch with Divine Purpose – the Reason for our Being!

Throughout human history, people have been trying to answer the Big Question, “What is the Purpose of Life?” Books have been written on the subject, and philosophers have postulated diverse answers. But for Christians, God’s purpose is concisely outlined in today’s meditation passage. Believers in Christ are called according to God’s purpose and foreknown by Him. God’s foreknowledge is much more than His ability to see future events in advance. It also includes bringing to pass what He has chosen to do for those He has called. He has predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son (v.29). This will be fully accomplished in the resurrection, but until then, God is perfecting His Purpose.

God is progressively transforming us in Time, preparatory for eternity! The Believer’s Firm Hope is hinged on the revelation of Purpose, despite distress, trials and tribulations (vv.35-36) – “Yet in ALL these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (v.37). ALL negativities are not just defeated; they are turned into servants for our good. God is so supremely sovereign, that all the things that happen are ordered to serve our good. He makes every one of our agonies an instrument of His mercy to do us good. Joseph said to his brothers who had sold him into slavery, “...do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Gen.45:5). In other words, “you did me evil, but God meant it for good”!

This is my unfolding Story of Glory and Perfection of Purpose: God foreknew me, predestined me to be conformed to the image of His Son, called me, justified me, and shall ultimately glory me! Everything God allows into my life is designed to shape me into a glorious reflection of Christ. He who began this good work in me will be faithful to complete it (Phil.1:6).